The Black Prince - Softcover

"Murdoch is at the height of her powers in this novel, combining a complex plot with a heartrending analysis of the meaning of love" (Good Book Guide)

"The best all-round novel that I’ve read. It’s a brilliant crime novel and a love story that’s beautifully written" (Sophie Hannah Daily Express)

"A source of wonder and delight...No summary can do justice to the rich intricacy of character and incident with which Miss Murdoch crowds every page" (Spectator)

"This is great Murdoch. It rings as clear as The Bell...her humour is all the more achingly funny because she keeps it on the edge of our vision" (Daily Mail)

"Iris Murdoch's marvellous, heroic novel...A gloriously rich tale" (The Times)

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY CANDIA MCWILLIAM

The Black Prince is both a remarkable thriller and a story about being in love.

Bradley Pearson, narrator and hero, is an elderly writer with a 'block'. Finding himself surrounded by predatory friends and relations - his ex-wife, her delinquent brother, a younger, deplorably successful writer, Arnold Baffin, Baffin's restless wife and engaging daughter - Bradley attempts to escape. His failure to do so and its aftermath lead to a violent climax and a most unexpected conclusion.